Folded Copper Coin Found on Oak Island

Prior to the latest discovery, Lot 5 of Oak Island had already yielded valuable 17th-century Venetian trade beads, indicating early European contact and trade networks.

Other notable findings include mortar that matches material from the Money Pit and iron tools believed to be linked to Sir William Phips, who is rumored to have buried silver in 1687.

Drayton suggested the artifact could be a belt plate, a decoration from a satchel, or an insignia from a uniform, emphasizing the need for expert analysis in the lab.

Blacksmithing expert Carmen Legge initially identified the copper object as a possible riveted nameplate, noting its two rivets.

Emma Culligan later used CT scanning and X-ray fluorescence to analyze its composition, revealing an alloy of copper, zinc, iron, lead, and arsenic.

The presence of arsenic in the alloy is a key indicator that could push the artifact's date back to the 1600s, potentially predating the discovery of the Money Pit.

Researchers are considering whether the late 1600s dating of the artifact aligns with theories of Sir William Phips' operations on Lot 5.

The object's age suggests that significant activity may have occurred on Oak Island over a century before the documented discovery of the main Money Pit.

Sir William Phips is historically known for recovering treasure from the Spanish wreck Concepción in 1687, a ship that sank in 1641 off the Dominican Republic carrying over 100 tons of silver, gold, and jewels.

Scott Clarke postulates that Phips and Captain Andrew Belcher might have secretly stashed a portion of this treasure on Oak Island, given that Phips delivered less than five tons to the English Crown during his second mission, despite initially finding over 34 tons.

The hurried construction style of the feature on Lot 5 is considered consistent with an older build, lending credence to the theory of earlier activity.

While a definitive 'smoking gun' is still elusive, the discovery of more vaults in the swamp would provide compelling evidence, making further excavation a primary objective for the team.

A folded copper coin or token was recovered from spoil piles at the Lot 5 round feature, drawing immediate attention.

Historically, folded coins have been used as talismans or good luck charms to ward off bad luck, a practice documented in England as early as 1290, often involving prayers to saints.

A CT scan of the token revealed an unusual triple-fold, indicating significant intent in its creation, although no visible reliefs or signs were present to definitively identify it as currency.

The token is made of a copper alloy that includes zinc, and analysis indicates it is post-medieval but pre-mid-1800s.

The presence of arsenic and lead as alloying elements suggests a potential date between the mid-1700s and late 1600s, aligning with maritime superstitions prevalent during those centuries.

The team observed that the coin was perfectly folded, suggesting a deliberate act rather than an accidental one, prompting Rick Lagina to suspect intentionality.

Laird hypothesized that the specific number of folds, such as three versus two, might carry distinct symbolic meanings, which could be further understood by analyzing the artifact alongside 1600s-era buttons and trade beads also found on Lot 5.

Once the perceived evil was contained, the coin could be discarded or buried to eliminate the threat, a tradition that persisted from medieval times into the 1600s or 1700s, aligning with the token's estimated age.

Copper was the preferred material for these rituals due to its representation of strength and wealth in medieval society.

Further reinforcing the Templar link, the team observed that the rounded feature on Lot 5 shares an east-west orientation, a characteristic often found in Templar-associated constructions.

Rick Lagina expressed concern that physically unfolding the coin could symbolically 'release' the evil it was intended to contain, leading the team to decide against it, hoping instead to find additional, similar artifacts on Lot 5 for further context without damaging the current specimen.